In the framework of the CERV Programme, the Gyöngyös Municipality has won a grant of 30 000 EURO for the implementation of the project GYOandLE (101053207), entitled "Call for proposals for town-twinning and networks of towns", within the framework of the CERV-2021-CITIZENS-TOWN (CERV-2021-CITIZENS-TOWN) programme.The aim of the project is to strengthen the twinning relations between the towns and to enable the inhabitants and civil organisations of the towns to get to know each other better and to establish new friendships. The project aims to promote and disseminate EU values.
GYOandLE
The connection
For decades, Gyöngyös has been working to build international relations that can serve the interests of cities, local organisations and local people. We have an excellent cooperation with our twin towns of Targu Secuiesc (Romania), Luohe (China), Ringsted (Denmark), Zeltweg (Austria), Pieksämäki (Finland), Sanok (Poland), Manisa (Turkey), Stip (Northern Macedonia). Unfortunately, the covid closures have made it difficult to keep in touch, and our common events are get more rare. In a previous EU-funded project, a delegation from our city visited several cities in Slovenia and met the leaders of Lendava, a city with similar characteristics. The similarities in geography, proximity and historical heritage of the two settlements attracted interest, and a winning application was prepared and submitted. The similarities in geography, proximity and historical heritage of the two settlements attracted interest, and this winning application was prepared and submitted. The aim is for the inhabitants of the municipalities to get to know each other's traditions, culture and EU values.
The common work
In the preparation phase so far, there have been only bilateral contacts between the participating municipalities Gyöngyös and Lendava, but it has been extended to include Losonc (Slovakia) and Sanok (Poland), Lodygowice (Poland). Now we think together, plan and get to know each other better. Phone conversations, email correspondence, and zoom video discussions took place during the project.
The event took place within the framework of the Advent Days.
During the days, numerous concerts, craft fairs, family programs and gastronomic demonstrations awaited those interested.
We discussed the results of this project. Then we held together a press conference. The mayors of the participating towns spoke about what results they got from the project. In the framework of the workshop the cities decides they agreed on future joint projects.
Results and impacts
The project has been a success, with new contacts and friendships formed during the period of the project. The participating partners will have jointly submit new EU applications. The people of the cities got to know each other and EU values were reinforced. The participating towns intend to continue to submit joint applications and to continue their cooperation. The twinning between Gyöngyös and Lendva was verbally confirmed.
The programme
Between 2-4 December 2023, the Polish cities of Lodygowice and Sanok and the Slovakian city of Losonc and Lendva from Slovenia visited Gyöngyös. The aim of the CERV Programme Twin Cities programme was to prepare the ground for new twinning relationships and to strengthen existing ones. On Saturday, the opening day of the three-day event, the cities introduced themselves to each other, with a special focus on their new partner Sanok, and discussed their joint development ideas. Afterwards, each municipality symbolically placed its own Christmas tree ornament on the Christmas tree on the main square, and in the afternoon, they participated in a cultural programme and visited the Advent Fair and NGOs. The evening ended with a dinner and tasting of local products. On the second day of the programme, after breakfast, a forum was held at the Mátra Cultural Centre from 10 am to examine how to extend cooperation to the civil and economic actors and young people of the towns. Afterwards, the folk show featured performances by choirs and folk-dance groups from the participating municipalities, and the programme ended with a joint dance on the stage, which was so good that the other groups and the audience joined in. After lunch, a short free programme was followed by the Advent Fair, where the participating villages introduced themselves to the audience and lit the first Advent candle together, followed by concerts and a dinner with wine-tasting. On the last day, after breakfast, the delegations went on a guided tour of the city, followed by the closing of the event, which was attended by 259 participants from four countries.
